Hi AAPL,
We're told that the total cost of a vacation was divided equally among 3 people and if the total cost of the vacation had been divided equally among 4 people, then the cost per person would have been $50 LESS. We're asked for the total cost of the vacation. This question can be solved in a couple of different ways, including by TESTing THE ANSWERS. There are also some logical 'shortcuts' in the design of this question that you can take advantage of.
We're told that the total cost of a vacation was divided among 3 PEOPLE. We're then told that if the total cost of the vacation had been divided equally among 4 PEOPLE, then the cost per person would have been $50 LESS. Looking at the answer choices, we can see that they're all 'nice' round numbers. Since the total cost was originally going to be divided among 3 people, that cost is almost certainly going to be a multiple of 3. Only answers B and E fit that pattern.
Let's TEST Answer B: $300
IF.... Total Cost = $300
Cost for 3 people = $100 each
Cost for 4 people = $75 each
Difference = $25
This is NOT a match for what we were told (the difference is supposed to be $50).
Eliminate Answer B.
Notice how $25 is exactly HALF of $50 though.... Maybe we need to DOUBLE all of the values....
Let's TEST Answer E: $600
IF.... Total Cost = $600
Cost for 3 people = $200 each
Cost for 4 people = $150 each
Difference = $50
This is an exact MATCH for what we were told, so this MUST be the answer.
Final Answer: E
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
